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Post by richey on Aug 20, 2022 10:00:27 GMT
In addition to &Juliet as oxfordsimon mentions, Bat out of Hell and Back to the Future also did the same, running at Manchester Opera House prior to the London run. I know this is the norm but I have a bit of a problem ‘trying out’ shows in the regions. Top price seats in Manchester for BTTF and Bat were between £120 and £95. If you’re going to test a show out on us regional plebs before deeming it suitable for the ‘bright lights of the glittering west end’ at least charge accordingly. All the discounted seats are in London not regional theatres. And isn’t this playing into the idea that a production has to be perfect for the west end but can be treated as some sort of ‘suck it and see’ experiment for the rest of us? By all means play with a show to your hearts content but charge a today’s tix bargain bucket £25 for it when doing so? there were plenty of discounts for &Juliet and Bat out of Hell in Manchester. I saw them both twice and never paid more than £20. BTTF didn't get a long enough run but I bet that would have started to discount if covid hadn't cut the run short |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2022 14:57:33 GMT
Glad I've booked for this now TallPaul ! I am willing to offer my dancing skills if required. Hope that didn't come across the wrong way. I meant it mostly because there's an entire section about how they're designing clothes for gym rats and Stuart's got scenes in the locker rooms with a bunch of other fit blokes. I personally like to see a cast of diverse body types, but that plot point seems to be what's driving the casting. |
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Post by marob on Aug 20, 2022 15:08:15 GMT
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5,794 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 20, 2022 15:49:35 GMT
That’s the only tempting thing about this entire production IMO. I very much enjoy his Instagram posts. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2022 16:40:25 GMT
Superficial that could make me get a ticket 🤣🤣 |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2022 17:52:01 GMT
Cant agree with this I'm afraid. Yes, there were full price premium seats on sale, but a show trying out still needs to cover its development and running costs, and those eager to book early, big fans etc, will pay premium prices up front regardless. Also these shows usually open in a very good state. Tight and well rehearsed. I've not seen a "tryout" that's not been worthy of a big ticket. It's not like they're opening in the workshop stage, where half the cast are still on book. That said, I saw BOAH, BTTF and &J for £13 a-piece in premium seats - so bargain bucket tickets are very much there to be had, at a better rate than TT. I was lucky enough to see all three in premium seats and yes they were all wonderful. There were also acres of seats remaining due to the prices and size of the theatre. Hence the subsequent bargains. I’m not talking specifically about those shows. What I’m trying to say is there’s this idea that shows should be ‘tried out’ in the less important regions before being deemed worthy of a west end transfer. Both BTTF and BOOH were great from the off. If Mrs Doubtfire needs a complete overhaul as some here are saying charge accordingly. The regions are just as deserving of a ‘finished’ show.
It's already done a Broadway run, so the regions are hardly the guinea pig here. They are getting the opportunity to see it first before (if?) it hits London. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 20, 2022 17:56:36 GMT
We don’t know if they’ve changed it though.
You would hope that whatever didn’t work on Broadway has been changed because why would any producer replicate the failure?
I’m losing faith though. I don’t need to see “ripped” dancers in this. That sounds absolutely dreadful.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2022 20:03:06 GMT
We don’t know if they’ve changed it though. You would hope that whatever didn’t work on Broadway has been changed because why would any producer replicate the failure? I’m losing faith though. I don’t need to see “ripped” dancers in this. That sounds absolutely dreadful. To be fair I agree, ripped men isn't something that seems to naturally go with Mrs Doubtfire as a story. I'm sure if there are then the pics will be used in promotional material so that'll save me a ticket haha |
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Post by marob on Aug 20, 2022 23:01:19 GMT
With drag being more taboo in America, and mainstream examples fairly rare, I can’t help wondering if they just looked at Drag Race and decided they needed their own version of the pit crew.
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19,650 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 21, 2022 7:08:13 GMT
I really doubt this will make it to the west end at all.The show is terrible, and it’s not selling well in Manchester. It would take a minor miracle for it to get good reviews, let alone raves. Also they cannot currently get a theatre in London. If you’re bothered about seeing it- I’d suggest making that trip to Manchester. I have trouble believing that they’ve brought this across for a 4 week run in Manchester without an explicit plan to transfer into the WE and most likely with a confirmed theatre. That would fly completely in the face of all common sense not to mention being at odds with what we’ve seen happen with Manchester try-outs for the past 15 years. |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 21, 2022 13:08:38 GMT
I really doubt this will make it to the west end at all.The show is terrible, and it’s not selling well in Manchester. It would take a minor miracle for it to get good reviews, let alone raves. Also they cannot currently get a theatre in London. If you’re bothered about seeing it- I’d suggest making that trip to Manchester. I have trouble believing that they’ve brought this across for a 4 week run in Manchester without an explicit plan to transfer into the WE and most likely with a confirmed theatre. That would fly completely in the face of all common sense not to mention being at odds with what we’ve seen happen with Manchester try-outs for the past 15 years. Oh they absolutely have a desire for it to transfer, but they need it to have a theatre, sell tickets, get great reviews. None of those things are looking likely at the moment. They wanted the Shafestbury or Adelphi, but both of those shows are hanging on for now. |
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Post by Mark on Aug 21, 2022 13:37:52 GMT
Seems to be selling very well at the weekends (can't get two tickets next to each other in the stalls for the Saturday Matinees) with slower business in the week. But then this is typical for everywhere. An interesting one in terms of target audience. When I went in New York there was a lot of kids (8-14 range) in the audience so it's a great show for families with slightly older children than the audience for say, Frozen.
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Post by sph on Aug 21, 2022 14:10:35 GMT
I also have a hunch that maybe the movie is more generally popular in the UK than the US. I can see it selling well in London with good marketing. Once people are aware of it they will see it for the nostalgia of those 90s video rentals and terrestrial TV airings.
Definitely one that would pull in the British tourists imo.
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3,301 posts
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Post by david on Aug 24, 2022 19:28:21 GMT
Plenty of single £35 seats available for both saturday shows in the stalls and Circle for most of the dates if anyone is thinking of booking.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Aug 24, 2022 23:39:20 GMT
Is that the lovely Mark Evans in those photos? Has he done a show here since we lost him to BoM all those years ago?
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 1, 2022 20:19:29 GMT
Do we have anyone attending opening night tomorrow?
I know some don't rate the piece but I hope that it does work for UK audiences
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Post by marob on Sept 1, 2022 20:37:07 GMT
Just had a look at the website, and noticed that they give a 360 degree view from every seat. When did they start doing that? It’s a really nice feature.
It’s pretty bad that I’m shocked when ATG’s website actually manages to do something customer-friendly.
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5,794 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 1, 2022 21:43:04 GMT
Just had a look at the website, and noticed that they give a 360 degree view from every seat. When did they start doing that? It’s a really nice feature. It’s pretty bad that I’m shocked when ATG’s website actually manages to do something customer-friendly. You’ll probably find that they’ve secretly charged your credit card £40 for that |
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Sept 1, 2022 22:21:04 GMT
Do we have anyone attending opening night tomorrow? I know some don't rate the piece but I hope that it does work for UK audiences Not much online publicity for this…let’s hope the show at least gets a good opening. |
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Post by Matt on Sept 1, 2022 22:39:43 GMT
I don’t like to post on a thread just to be negative (which I’m about to do) but this would be such a waste of a theatre if it transfers.
The score is forgettable and I feel like they just make Daniel into a really unlikeable irresponsible person. They spend quite a lot of time showing the audience how bad a husband he is, and it’s not even enjoyable to watch. I feel like the film gives you enough of a back story in the short way they do it, whilst keeping him charming and worthy of empathy, in a way. In the musical he’s just a dick.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 1, 2022 22:50:14 GMT
Do we know if the script/score has undergone any reworking since the US premiere?
Is it possible that the issues raised have been addressed?
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Post by SuttonPeron on Sept 2, 2022 0:05:46 GMT
Do we know if the script/score has undergone any reworking since the US premiere? Is it possible that the issues raised have been addressed? They did reworking prior to the Broadway reopening, emphasizing that Doubtfire is only a character that Daniel Hilard plays, and some more changes which were apparently done with the help of a trans organization. |
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Post by alece10 on Sept 3, 2022 16:17:24 GMT
Friend of mine (non board member) went to first preview last night and has given me permission to pass on his thoughts.
Refreshing new show that has mainly forgettable songs but an energetic cast (especially the lead). Started 5 mins late and safety curtain came down after 15 mins with technical stop for 12 mins. Sets are sparce but work well. Storyline on the stage is OK but felt it went a little flat in places and a bit of trimming could be made. Audience laughed in the right places and standing ovation at the end. He is due to see it twice more during the run so looking forward to seeing how it develops.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Sept 3, 2022 19:53:16 GMT
I'm in tonight and enjoying it so far.
Yes the songs are a bit forgettable, but the cast are brilliant.
Lead is outstanding and it's bringing back a lot of nostalgia seeing one of my favourite films transferred to the stage.
The actress playing Lydia has a brilliant voice and her song in act one got a big ovation.
Roll on act 2.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 3, 2022 19:54:16 GMT
Really pleased that Gabe is being well received.
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